One Day Grandkids will need MLK jr.: How that day is today


















ONE DAY IN SCHOOL, YOU’LL NEED
TO MAKE A REPORT ON DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

—for Josh and Katie
And for Sammie and Deanna
(who weren’t born yet.)

You can start to look at this book then.
You don’t have to read it.
Just look at a few pictures.
Read a couple of captions underneath

the photos that interest you.
You can make your report from looking
at the pictures. Ask your Mom & Dad
why these words, civil rights

are so important, still. Make them
give you a good answer, too.
You don’t have to read the book. Not yet.
You can take it to school, maybe,

to show your teacher and your friends
that your grandpa got you the biggest book
ever, on Dr. King. It’s good to ask questions:
Why did Grandpa get this book for me

when I was a baby? Who is Taylor Branch
who wrote my name in the book?
One day you’ll want to know what all this
has to do with you. Pick it up, then.

Look at the photo of Mrs. Rosa Parks,
and Bob Moses, too. Check their names
in the index. See those overalls he’s wearing?
You can tell your friends that was the uniform

of civil rights workers. You need to know
about Medgar Evars, too. You’ll know
when it’s time to pick up the book
and read it on your own. Nobody

will have to tell you. Dr. King
led the marches for freedom.
Young people just like yourselves
were warriors pushing him from behind.

One day you’ll need this story.
And one day the story will need you too.
This is a big book about freedom
That’s why Grandpa got you this book.


Love, Grandpa Jim

February 25, 2006












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